The series documents the evolution of the downtown skyline over the past decade. The venue of the exhibition offers panoramic views of Manhattan and presents a unique perspective over-looking the Memorial fountains and World Trade Center reconstruction. The artist has been painting on the 48th floor as a guest of Silverstein Properties, who are hosting the event.

Witness/ Downtown Rising reflects the emotional journey that our community has taken as the city rebuilds in the wake of 9/11 attack. The goal of the project is to create a space for viewers to contemplate the impact of the attack on the city and how far we have traveled, since that day. The exhibition will provide a unique opportunity for people to remember and look forward at this special place and time.

‘My Tribeca painting studio borders the World Trade Center site and this work documents the changing Lower Manhattan skyline over the last ten years. I witnessed the September 11th attack from my studio window and drew and painted throughout the day on my rooftop until I was evacuated. Witness brings to bear my thirty-year painting practice on what I saw from my home and workplace. The twenty watercolors depict the succession of events of the day and its aftermath. Downtown Rising is a series of paintings chronicling the changes in the Downtown streetscape and skyline with a particular focus on the rebuilding of Seven World Trade Center. The most recent paintings depict the view from the 48th floor of Seven World Trade Center looking Downtown over the Memorial site construction. The paintings foster a dialogue about how the external face of a city’s skyline reflects its peoples shared inner life. “ says Stone.

The catalogue to accompany the exhibition features essays by Jan Seidler Ramirez, Chief Curator of the National September 11 Memorial Museum, and Nancy Princenthal, a writer for Art In America.

This is a fiscally sponsored project by The New York Foundation for the Arts.